SLAM friend/contributor Mark Hostutler’s new book, The Eulogy of Pittsburgh’s Schenley Spartans, examines how private and charter schools are tearing at the fabric of traditional high school basketball. Below is an excerpt from Chapter VII. The Anatomy of a Contender, which introduces the players the book focuses on.—Ed.

With only one senior in their rotation, the Spartans had a foundation of youth that had originally been laid when the boys were seven and eight years old and first getting to know one another in The Hill. At 6-6 and almost 250 pounds as a junior, DeJuan Blair was the fulcrum of an offense that punished on the inside and ran with the horsepower of a stock car on the outside. Regardless of whether it was in high school, college, or the pros, Blair has always played bigger than his height would allow, courtesy of broad shoulders, a seven-foot wingspan, and outlandish strength that opens up paths to the bucket.

Blair’s current prowess on the highest level of basketball is remarkable, considering how he tore the ACL in each of his knees as a freshman and sophomore at Schenley and was sidelined for 16 months.

“I can still see DeJuan as a ninth-grader, hopping around the gym on one foot, trying to show everyone that he could still dunk,” Skrocki said. “His knee eventually healed, but the next year [in the state quarterfinals], he hurt the other one. For him to come back the way he did as a junior, it was just incredible.”

DeJuan and his other siblings gather their inspiration from DeMond, their brother who died when he rolled off the bed at three months old. And they got their game from their parents, Greg and Shari Blair. Greg, a teammate of Darrick Suber, graduated from Schenley in 1991 and played for Skrocki, while the former Shari Saddler averaged 20 points and 20 rebounds a contest at Serra Catholic in nearby McKeesport.

“I was never a troublemaker, but I don’t know where my life would be without basketball,” he said. “I’m glad my mom and dad put one in my hands.”

As a youngster, DeJuan was a fixture at the Ammon Recreation Center and at Kennard Park in The Hill, just like his future Schenley teammates were. It’s where they cut their teeth and inherited the swagger of their predecessors who never gave them any credit and swore they would never be as good.

As a 6-5 junior, D.J. Kennedy was a crafty southpaw, as resourceful as MacGyver, and a triple-double threat in every game he played. His father, David Kennedy Sr., won a PIAA title alongside NFL lineman Sam Clancy at Fifth Avenue High School, which shuttered in 1976.

(To address concerns about de facto segregation in the 1970s, Fifth Avenue and Gladstone merged to form Brashear High School, which welcomed more than 5,000 students to its new building on Crane Avenue in Beechview. Fifth Avenue had educated students in the Lower Hill, while Schenley’s territory included the Middle and Upper Hill. Kennedy and Clancy’s Archers earned a national ranking as high as No. 2, despite the uncertainty surrounding their 1975-76 season. The strike by the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers spanned 56 calendar days and 33 school days in December and January, and jeopardized Fifth Avenue’s last crusade before it even began. It eventually got under way, and the Archers, a nickname inspired by their school’s Gothic-style architecture, won all 15 of their games on the path to the crown. “The strike was really a drag,” said Clancy, Pitt’s all-time leading rebounder. “We knew we were good but never had the chance to prove it. Maybe that’s why the [PIAA] tournament meant so much to us. We were glad to see the strike end, but I’m not sure the rest of the state was.”)

An accomplished quarterback, the elder Kennedy concentrated on hoops in college at Cincinnati, and the Dallas Mavericks took a flier on him in the eighth round of the 1981 draft, although he never made the League.

“I had a lot of motivation early on to live up to my father’s name,” said D.J., who lived with his mother growing up. “I was always hearing from older dudes about how great of an athlete he was, but he didn’t push me. He gave me space to choose my own way.

“I looked up more to my brother [Derrick Holliday]. He was four years older than me, and didn’t make the best decisions with his life. He’s always had good intentions, but he got caught up in a lot of bad situations. Regardless, he always shielded me from the streets and did whatever he could to keep me on the right track.”

Jamaal Bryant, nicknamed “Onion” since he was a tyke when one of his youth coaches said his head looked like a bulb, stood just 5-9 and weighed 140 pounds as a junior. An artist at the point, he used the floor as his canvas and mesmerized crowds with fancy ballhandling and no-look passing. The mercurial playmaker saw the floor as clearly as anyone in Western Pennsylvania back then and could toss alley-oops to Blair and Kennedy in his sleep.

“My role?” Bryant asked. “To do whatever it took to win. I had to win, needed to win. I couldn’t stand losing. It was like coming face to face with death. I used to cry for hours after a loss.”

As a sophomore at Schenley, DeAndre Kane tried to use every minute of the 2005-06 season to make up for lost time. Kane didn’t play as a freshman, because he refused to carry the upperclassmen’s bags, perhaps foreshadowing some of the troubles he’d have later on in his career.

“DeAndre had the mentality that he didn’t have to listen,” said Bryant. “He was definitely uncoachable at first.”

The enigmatic Kane blossomed into a 6-4 point guard at the next level. But as a 10th-grader, he was a few inches shorter, playing off the ball, and carving out his niche on the team, all while trying to not get swallowed up by the streets.

Like Kennedy, Kane had championship blood coursing through his veins, as his father Calvin had steered the Spartans to their last state crown 28 long winters ago.

“Life was difficult in The Hill,” Kane said. “Everywhere you looked, there were cautionary tales, examples of someone who could’ve been the one to make it big, but the streets took over. It would’ve been easy for me or any of my Schenley teammates to get stuck in that life and end up dead or in jail like so many others.

“Growing up, we were stupid, young and stupid. We’d go to parties wearing red bandanas, thinking we were gangbangers. With all the stuff I saw and what people were into, I’m fortunate to still be here.”

Kane had a girlfriend and another friend who were murdered in separate incidents during his youth. The former was killed in a drive-by shooting, and Kane made it to the scene in time to see paramedics covering up her body. The latter died when he and Kane were at a party, and tempers began to flare. They left the house just before shots rang out, and were running toward their car when Kane’s friend caught a bullet in the head.

Kane was and remains best friends with the last piece to Schenley’s puzzle.

At 6-2, Greg Blair Jr., another sophomore, never sprouted like DeJuan, but his appetite for physicality may have exceeded his brother’s.

“I was the guy who gave us the spark,” Greg said. “When we needed a hard foul, I was the one to do it. And I loved that role.

“I always played basketball in DeJuan’s shadow, but having him there was a blessing, because it took the pressure off me.”

Schenley’s offense fired on all cylinders when DeJuan was drop-stepping through traffic, Kennedy was gliding to the rim from seemingly impossible angles, Onion was slicing up his defenders with his crossover, Kane was bombing from distance, and Greg was whooping it up and bullying the opposition.

Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce and Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah are now each $15K poorer, after being fined by the NBA for their mini-brouhaha Monday.

Wizards’ players DeJuan Blair, Nene, Daniel Orton and Xavier Silas were also suspended one game for leaving the bench area during the skirmish.

From the press release:

Additionally, Noah has been fined $15,000 for initiating an altercation with Pierce by pushing him in the chest and Pierce has been fined $15,000 for hitting Noah in the forehead with his left index finger, it was announced (Wednesday) by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 8:57 remaining in the first quarter of the Wizards’ 85-81 win over the Bulls on Monday, October 6, at United Center.

The suspensions will be served during the first regular season game for which each player is eligible and physically able to play.

The legendary “Bad Boys” Detroit Pistons, led by Isiah Thomas and featuring a bruising frontline of Bill Laimbeer, Dennis Rodman, John Salley, and Rick Mahorn, have been apparently been re-created in Washington.

“We feel now we have one of the deeper front lines in the league as far as the four and five are concerned,” Wizards General Manager Ernie Grunfeld said. […] “We’re big. We should be physical,” Coach Randy Wittman said. “If we’re not physical, there’s something wrong. We should able to bang with the best of them.”

Blair contends the Wizards’ cast is worthy (of the comparison.) He just needs some time to figure out the exact roles. […] “I don’t know who [Dennis] Rodman is,” Blair said. “We’ll find a Rodman.”

The Dallas Mavericks are shipping veteran forward DeJuan Blair off to Washington in a sign-and-trade deal. Blair, 25, reportedly won’t generate anything for the Mavs aside from nominal draft considerations. Per ESPN:

The Mavericks, sources say, promised Blair that they would try to sign-and-trade him to a new team to help him as much they could financially as a reward for contributions the bruising forward made last season, notably during Dallas’ seven-game battle with the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs in the opening round.

DeJuan Blair's deal with Washington will be three-years, $6M — with a team option on third year, league source tells Yahoo Sports.

Dallas Mavericks’ forward-center DeJuan Blair has been suspended one game without pay for kicking center Tiago Splitter of the San Antonio Spurs in the head, it was announced (Tuesday) by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

The incident, in which Blair was ejected, occurred with 3:08 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Mavericks’ 93-89 loss to the visiting San Antonio Spurs last night at American Airlines Center. Blair will serve his suspension (Wednesday) when the Mavericks host the Spurs.

DeJuan Blair: The Hill District. It was tough, hard-nosed. You just had to grind out everyday, work hard and do what you had to do to survive. I think that’s what made me the tough guy that I am now.

SLAM: Who showed you the ropes on the court?

DB: My mother. My mother actually was a real good basketball player and a real good softball player, and my father was a real good basketball player, so I learned from them. As a little kid I didn’t really have an NBA team, coming up in Pittsburgh, so I would watch Michael Jordan. Me and my father would watch him, and he was the greatest. He came back with that 45 and everybody thought he was done, and he came back and still did his thing and won three more. You win three, take off, then come back and win another three. How amazing is that? It was just a big thing for me, seeing him do that in the NBA. It just gave me hope that one day I can be there.

SLAM: Was there a specific place that was important to your development?

DB: Kennard Field. That’s when I was playing against all the older men, and that’s where I would get a lot of my toughness from. They were grown men and I was a teenager, so my father and mother let me play up there. I started in the teenage groups—15- and 17-and-under—and then I moved up to the grown men league, and I played three years and got three MVPs of the championship games. It was a really big help for me, getting my toughness and grit. I think Kennard Field did it all.

SLAM: Did the older guys respect you?

DB: My first couple games it wasn’t no respect. They knew who I was, but they didn’t think I was ready. I played one game, my very first game, and then my dad was like, You ain’t playing up there no more. I was like, I can play with them. I went up there the next game and had a crazy game, and from that day forward I didn’t wanna play with the younger fellas—I only wanted to play with the old fellas. I had to gain respect, but I think I did that. It was something that you had to go through like a rookie.

SLAM: Do any of your high school performances stand out to you?

DB: All three of my city league championships and my state championship, it was all special because I won them with my little brother and all my best friends. We were all from the same neighborhood, and the neighborhood was behind us the whole time. I had torn my ACL, then came back and won the championship, then tore it again and came back and won a championship. Went to the state championship, lost that by one point, then came back the next year and won the state championship. It was like a storybook. Doing it with my brothers was the icing on it.

SLAM: At what point did you decide reaching the NBA was your goal?

DB: I really wasn’t talking about it in high school. I mean I was, but it wasn’t something that I had to do. It was just something that popped up when I was in college. After my first game in college, playing Duke in the Garden, I think after I got 15 and 20, that opened up a lot for me to really get my mind set on what I wanna do in life and play in the NBA. I mean I always wanted to play in the NBA but I didn’t think I would until [after] the Duke game. I didn’t understand what Duke was until after the game; I really didn’t follow Duke and know their history and their program and everything like that until after we played them. At that point, that’s when I said, OK, I think I might have a shot at this. It just skyrocketed from there.

SLAM: Pittsburgh doesn’t have an NBA team. Do you think the city should have one?

DB: Yeah, of course. We definitely could have one. I don’t think they give us enough credit on the basketball tip. It’s straight football in the city.

New Dallas Mavericks forward DeJuan Blair wasted little time before taking shots at his former employers — Blair thinks if he got on the court, the San Antonio Spurs would be celebrating an NBA title right now. Per the Dallas Morning News (via Project Spurs): “When asked about getting back to the NBA Finals, Blair told NBA.com, ‘Of course I want to get back. I don’t think we’ve [Spurs] would have came up short if I would’ve played but, hey, keep that out there.’ Blair only played four minutes in Game 4 and six minutes in Game 5 of the Finals—both blowouts. This is not the first time Blair has complained about playing time, though, something Coach Rick Carlisle surely won’t tolerate. Carlisle has been known to play stars for limited minutes. In 2010, when asked about pulling Tyson Chandler, Shawn Marion, and Jason Terry—all significantly better players than Blair—off the bench, Carlisle responded, ‘I don’t care if guys are happy or unhappy about their minutes,” he said. “When you’re talking about winning at the highest level, individual needs for minutes and touches, if that stuff comes into the equation, then you got guys who aren’t about the right things. We address those issues if they come up, obviously. Anybody who presents themselves with that kind of selfishness isn’t deserving of being in a Mavericks’ uniform. This isn’t going to be about role definition. It’s going to be about role acceptance.’ Blair and the Mavs make their first visit to San Antonio on January 8.”

UPDATE: The big fella seemed to confirm the rumors this afternoon, tweeting his excitement to be moving on to Dallas and saying goodbye to San Antonio: “SA you always in my heart! … Dallas!!!!! Now lets have some fun!!!!”

According to ESPN, the Mavericks and free agent big man DeJuan Blair are inching ever closer to a deal: Sources said that the Mavericks — who remain one of six finalists for the services of Greg Oden — are in advanced talks to add Blair to a revamped rotation of front-court sidekicks for Dirk Nowitzki. With one source saying Tuesday that a deal looks ‘promising,’ the former Spurs center appears poised to join new projected starting center Samuel Dalembert and the re-signed duo of Brandan Wright and Bernard James in a posse of centers to play alongside Nowitzki after Dallas lost out to Houston in the Dwight Howard sweepstakes. Although the Mavericks are essentially restricted to offering minimum contracts at this point in the summer after making a number of signings post-Howard, they continue to hold out hope that Oden will decide that Dallas is the ideal place to launch his comeback under the watch of longtime Team USA trainer Casey Smith and team doctor Tarek Souryal.”

San Antonio Spurs center DeJuan Blair is gonna have to finally pay off his jewelry store debt—a judge has ordered the big fella to make good on an outstanding amount of more than $53,000 (Blair took store credit nearly three years ago). Per the Express-News: “If Blair fails to show on Wednesday or continues to ignore the lawsuit that was first filed in October, the judge could find him in contempt and issue a warrant for his arrest. Blair, 23, has filed no responding documents to the lawsuit, hasn’t appeared in court and in February a default judgment was issued in favor of the store. […] Elliott Cappuccio, the attorney representing the store’s owner Zareem Merchant, said he had been in contact with the Spurs’ general counsel and Blair’s agent but never heard anything back. ‘I assume he’s been advised of his rights and what a problem this is for him,’ Cappuccio said. ‘But he personally has not contacted me or my client and has not made any attempt (to respond to the lawsuit).’ The store owner said in an affidavit that Blair failed to pay for various items he chose during eight visits between March 10, 2010, and April 10, 2010. One visit topped $11,000 and included a $4,000 diamond watch and $3,000 diamond ring, according to the receipts filed with the lawsuit. On another visit, Blair picked out more than $12,000 worth of merchandise, including what may be a watch but was only described as a “men’s Gucci with Dia” for $5,946, according to the documents. In all, he owes a total of $53,032.26. Cappuccio said given the NBA player’s salary, no one at the store thought the payments would be an issue. Blair first signed with the team in 2009 and by the time his contract expires he will have earned $3.808 million over four years.”

Welcome to Player’s Anthems, where our favorite NBA players tell us what’s currently booming through their headphones. Every entry in this series will include a playlist—embedded below via our Spotify page—featuring all of the spotlighted athlete’s go-to tunes, provided to us directly by the NBAer himself. Next up: Spurs forward DeJuan Blair, whose collection contains a bunch of hip-hop spanning the past decade.

DeJuan Blair found himself looking sad inside of Gregg Popovich’s doghouse throughout the postseason, and he believes that his time in San Antonio is nearing its end. Per the Express-News: “In the playoffs, the wide-bodied Spurs center-forward found himself on the bench. He played in only 10 of San Antonio’s 14 playoff games. He did not start a single game. His total playing time in the playoffs: 76 minutes. Blair views that as a message, and a strong one: It seems the Spurs doubt him. And because of that, he has his doubts that he will play a fourth season in silver and black. A member of the select team that is helping the U.S. Olympic team prepare for London, a trimmed-down Blair is showcasing his talent in front of NBA coaches, general managers and scouts on hand at UNLV’s Mendenhall Center practice court to watch spirited scrimmage sessions. ‘I’m trying to get down to 260 (pounds), and it’s working,’ Blair said. ‘I’ll be great by September. I know I’m on the trading block, so we’ll see what happens.’ Blair makes no attempt to hide his feelings when he discusses his diminished role in the playoffs, including his belief he might be better off elsewhere. ‘I love the Spurs, but they’ve got a lot of bigs, and they’re bringing somebody else from overseas, so where am I going to fall at?’ he said. ‘I was out of the rotation at the end of the season, so imagine next year. That’s something I really don’t want to go through again, because it tore me down.’ The European player Blair believes the Spurs want to add for next season is 6-foot-11 Slovenian center Erazem Lorbeck, 28, who plays in the Spanish ACB League and whose rights the Spurs obtained as part of the 2011 draft-night deal that sent Blair’s pal, George Hill, to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for the draft rights to Kawhi Leonard. Blair also presumes the Spurs want to re-sign Boris Diaw, the 6-foot-9 center-forward from France who signed a free-agent contract with the Spurs in late March and ended up with the starting center spot he once manned. Blair doesn’t question Spurs coach Gregg Popovich’s decision making, as difficult as it was for him to accept a reduced role. […] Blair turned 23 as the post-lockout season concluded in late April. What has happened since requires maturity. ‘The Spurs are excellent,’ he said. ‘They used me to get everybody going and just get to the playoffs. That’s what it’s seemed like the last two seasons. But it’s a business, and everybody has their role, and I played mine, obviously, in the season. That’s proved right now. We were No. 1 the last two seasons when I was starting, and then lost in the playoffs when I wasn’t. That’s just, well, I don’t know, common sense. But I’ll be all right.'”

He’ll have a mandatory out-clause for whenever the lockout ends. He’s got insurance for his ACL-less knees. He’s going to stay in decent shape for when the season begins. He’ll be making bread. So, DeJuan Blair signing a deal to play with Krasnye Krylya for the ’11-12 season is a win-win for both Blair and the Spurs. From Yahoo!: “San Antonio Spurs forward DeJuan Blair has signed to play with Russia’s Krasnye Krylya Samara for the 2011-12 season, his agent told Yahoo! Sports on Friday. Because he’s under contract with the Spurs, Blair’s deal has an out clause that allows him to return to the NBA this season should the league-imposed lockout ends, said his agent, Happy Walters.”

According to Yahoo! Sports, DeJuan Blair could be heading to Russia fairly soon: “Spurs forward Dejuan Blair is engaged in serious talks to play in Russia during NBA lockout, sources tell Y! Deal could be struck this week.”

A little while ago we caught up with DeJuan Blair to discuss Pittsburgh, Mac Miller and his own music. Well, a few months later, earlier this afternoon, DeJuan Blair released his own song “Trust Issues,” a sort-of cover of DJ Khaled’s “I’m On One” and Drake’s “Trust Issues.” Big man sounds like he’s got a lot of heart.

The Spurs know they need Ginobili to beat Memphis, let alone compete for a title, but he may not be ready to suit up tomorrow night. From the Express-News: “Spurs guard Manu Ginobili had his toughest workout since injuring his right elbow last week, taking part in one-on-one scrimmaging at the end of the Spurs’ practice Monday afternoon. Ginobili was raising his sprained right elbow more in shooting and dribbling than at any time since sustaining the injury Wednesday night in Phoenix. ‘We didn’t scrimmage five-on-five today,’ Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. ‘He’s shooting and trying to his condition up so that when he does heal, he’ll at least be in some decent shape.’ Popovich said the Spurs are getting ready for Wednesday’s Game 2 against Memphis like Ginobili won’t be playing. ‘We’ve prepared like he’s not here from the beginning,’ Popovich said. ‘We’re still in that mode.’ Spurs forward DeJuan Blair was even more succinct. He said the Spurs can’t win the series without Ginobili involved. ‘We need the Big Three,’ Blair said, referring to Ginobili, Parker and Tim Duncan. ‘We’ve got our role players and have been playing excellent. We need Manu. Manu is our MVP.'”

Last year’s Rookie-Sophomore game was epic. DeJuan Blair owned the boards, posting 22 points and 23 rebounds, while Tyreke Evans and Brandon Jennings combined for 48 points, 13 dimes, and 12 rebounds to lead the Rookies to their first win in seven years. Given the raw talent that’ll be on display tonight, we should expect another show. There will be tons of ridiculous highlights, and by games end, fans will be reevaluating their perspectives on certain players.

Many familiar faces will represent the sophomore class, most notably Stephen Curry, Jennings, and Blair. Unfortunately, ‘Reke will sit out due to a foot injury.

We just received news Blake Griffin will be participating tonight, which makes this game exponentially more exciting. Will he be stopped? Can he be stopped in a game of this nature? In a game with lackadaisical defense and volume scoring, Griffin could easily have 30 points on 15 dunks tonight. He’ll be playing, but not with his ’09 draft class. Instead, Griffin and John Wall will make a run at history, trying to lead the Rookies to back-to-back wins for the first time ever. With Wall leading the break, fellow rookies Wesley Johnson, Landry Fields, and Griffin could eat buckets all night long.

Maybe I’m a weirdo, but I actually care about the Rookie-Sophomore game. Not necessarily the score, but I pay close attention to who makes a statement. All-Star weekend, and the Rookie game in particular, resembles playground ball and AAU style of play more than ever. Both squads are familiar with each other, as many of the participants matched up on the AAU circuit and in college throughout their teenage years. Both teams will play with an edge and swagger, doing their best to put on for the name on the back of the jersey and their respective draft class. Last year it was Russell Westbrook who made a statement, abusing the field for 40 points. Prior to that game, I had no idea Westbrook was a budding superstar. Now it’s obvious he’s a franchise point guard, arguably top-5 in the league.

I expect Jennings to be on his Compton-Dominguez flow, looking to push the rock and distribute, but also hitting the rookies with his unorthodox floater. I see Curry going off, possibly on some Russ Wess type of ish. If the defense backs off, Curry could break Daniel Gibson’s Rookie-Sophomore game record of 11 3-pointers. We should also expect to see some insane dunks, as dunk-contest participants Serge Ibaka and DeMar DeRozan will join Griffin in this game.

An exciting matchup down low is DeMarcus Cousins against DeJuan Blair. Cousins has the obvious size advantage, but Blair is one of those guys who just gets the job done. His 20-20 game last year was no aberration. Cousins will also be playing alongside Wall and Eric Bledsoe, his former teammates at the University of Kentucky. As you can see, there’s lots of story-lines here.

I can’t pinpoint who’ll come out of the back-blocks and take center stage tonight, whether it be Fields showing he’s more than just a role player or Bledsoe looking to outplay Wall. Last year it was Blair, Evans, and Westbrook. In ’09, Kevin Durant willed the Sophomores to victory, scoring a record 46 points and earning MVP honors. In ’08, Boobie Gibson had 11 threes. Going back to ’07, David Lee achieved perfection, going 14-14 from the field en route to a game-high 30 points. Chris Paul also impressed, dishing out a record 17 assists.

We could rewind further, going back to Monta Ellis, Carmelo Anthony, or Kobe Bryant, but text won’t do you justice. The moving pictures below will. There’s some great memories, from Iverson to Kobe to Dirk to LeBron/Bosh/Wade/Melo all mic’d up. Tonight will be epic, but then again, maybe I’m just a weirdo.

Pop saw enough good things from Blair this summer to pencil him in as a starter going forward, something DeJuan is grateful for. The Express-News reports: “At age 21, DeJuan Blair is about to become the youngest opening night starter for the Spurs since 20-year-old Tony Parker was on the floor for the opening tip of the 2002-03 season. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich will send Blair out with Tim Duncan, Richard Jefferson, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili to open tonight’s final preseason game at the AT&T Center against the Houston Rockets. He affirmed that the same group will begin the season as his starting unit. Blair dedicated his rookie season to proving the 29 teams that passed on selecting him in the 2009 draft had made a major mistake. His ascension to a starting spot on one of the NBA’s elite teams is gratifying affirmation of his place in the NBA. ‘Starting in the NBA is a big thing for anybody who’s in the NBA,’ he said. ‘Getting minutes is another big thing, and being smart. He’s giving me the opportunity, and I’m going to take full advantage of it and try to be the best I can be.'”

Good news for Spurs fans, as Blair is able to play the game without feeling any pain. From the Express-News: “DeJuan Blair grabbed the ball, gathered himself, then rose up for a dunk. Then he did it again and again. For the bedazzled grade-schoolers who had gathered for Spurs youth camp at the University of the Incarnate Word on Thursday, the display was well worth the price of admission. For skittish Spurs fans everywhere, concerned about Blair’s health after lower leg soreness kept the All-Rookie big man off the floor at last month’s Las Vegas Summer League, it was cause for hallelujah. ‘I said I wasn’t going to do it (dunk), but they got me,’ Blair said after succumbing to the campers’ peer pressure. ‘I’m glad they saw a couple. I didn’t think I could do it.’ In truth, Blair’s July ‘injury’ was hardly an injury at all. He had bruised his right calf in a workout prior to summer league, and the Spurs coaching staff in Vegas felt it best to hold him out as a precautionary measure. By the end of the Spurs’ week in the desert, Blair said, he felt spry enough to play.”

We’ve been aware for the past few seasons that the clock is ticking on the aging former champs down in San Antonio. Timmy crossed the 1,000 game mark, Ginobili was debilitated by an assortment of ankle injuries for nearly two seasons, Parker caught a bout of plantar fasciitis…all the while the West growing deeper and stronger, new contenders emerging, old foes rejuvenated by some timely salary dump bailouts. Apologies in advance for using such a tired comparison, but the Spurs came to see this season as their Alamo, perhaps the last chance for 21 and Coach Pop to climb the mountain one last time (before Pop retires to his wine vineyards and Duncan to playing Dungeons and Dragons?).

Ownership scorned the tax hit they would take and acquired Richard Jefferson, hoping his relatively young legs might infuse the roster with an energy and athleticism that has eluded the franchise in recent years. They continued to draft with prescience, adding George Hill and DeJuan Blair to their exemplary record of success (Tiago Splitter’s presence on the front-line could really help, though). Duncan came back leaner than we’d seen him in years, the fresh bounce to his step showing us that the guy who hoisted the Larry O’Brien after knocking out the upstart Knicks in ’99 wasn’t quite ready to fade into the sunset. For anyone short of the Lakers, surviving the West was going to be a major accomplishment, but San Antonio was giving themselves a shot.

Something was missing when they came out of the gate in November, though. The team didn’t have that same offensive rhythm nor did they have the same defensive commitment. Jefferson really struggled to redefine himself within Pop’s system, devolving more or less into an ineffective jump shooter instead of the attacking, aggressive transition threat he had always been. Ginobili either wasn’t healthy or was simply passed the days of being one of the best 2s in the world. Parker looked just a step slower because of all his foot issues, and for a player who has predicated his entire game on speed for the most part, that step, or half-step, removed him from elite guard status. Just when he started to look like his old self (you know, the only little dude in the league who gets most his points off lay-ups), he hurt the wrist and will probably be out until the last week of the regular season.

Even the vaunted Rodeo away trip failed to unite the team as it is predestined to do in Spurs mythology. It sure seemed (and still does seem to many people) like the gig was up. But when I’ve watched the Spurs in recent weeks, I’ve seen a team that just might come together at the perfect time. Manu is back, with his rediscovered quickness, confidence, and whirling-dervish attacks of the basket that make him one of the truly unique players in the League. All the old favorites are surfacing again: the step-back 3s (with a slow release that still never gets blocked), the lefty hesitation dives to the bucket with the accompanying running finish, the slick behind-the-back dribble against pressure, and the consistently exemplary court vision and play-making ability. When he’s genuinely healthy, Ginobili is one of the best guards in the League, and someone I would always trust with the ball at the end of the game (despite some rough possessions last night against Atlanta).

Ginobili’s play has also revitalized Richard Jefferson to a certain extent. For the majority of the season, the two did not share the court together all that often. They have in recent weeks, and in Ginobili, Jefferson has found another player with a feel for spacing, angles and movement along the lines of his previous partnership with J. Kidd. Jefferson even spoke to Coach Popovich about his desire to play alongside Ginobili even more often. RJ’s renewed swag and effectiveness will be necessary if the Spurs are to make any noise come April 17. He’s an imperfect fit at the 3 for Pop’s system, but Jefferson’s ability to get cheap buckets in transition and at the line will help a San Antonio team that can get a bit stale at times in the half-court.

Duncan has played some of the best basketball of his post-foot ailments career. He still scores at the bucket and draws contact for freebies with the best of ‘em despite his ever-decreasing hops. He anchors the defense, plays terrifically against the pick-and-roll, and rebounds/clears his man out as the consummate professional he is. Already widely acknowledged as the greatest 4-man in history, this latest incarnation of Tim Duncan with diminished physical gifts only augments his standing as the G.O.A.T. Few bigs have adapted to their twilight years as well as this Wake Forest product.

DeJuan Blair has been great all season, taking the game by the horns as he always has. He knows his way around the bucket and has no problem tossing bodies around even at the NBA level. McDyess and Matt Bonner are the atypical role-playing veterans of the Gregg Popovich era, and George Hill is also much improved, particularly in the consistency with which he shoots the ball from the mid-range and out. Still, Hill is not Tony Parker, especially at winning time. Hill’s athleticism and activity on both ends are a huge boost to San Antonio, but when the 4th quarter comes, he tends to slide into the background as the team relies almost entirely on Ginobili and Duncan for all their offense. That is all fine and well, and many-a-team would love to have those two options in the waning moments (Coach Pop probably requires that Hill give the ball up to Ginobili as well). But Hill’s deferential play allows defenses to simplify their efforts in a way they cannot when Parker is out there (then, they have to be ready for Duncan post iso, Ginobili-Duncan high pick and roll with shooters surrounding, Parker-Duncan high-pick and roll with shooters surrounding). The man from IUPUI has played brilliantly this season, and is incredibly valuable for the contributions he can make during the meat of the game. For the Spurs to consistently win the last few minutes, though, they need all three of their former champions out on the court together.

Word is TP shot pain-free Sunday and is hoping to expedite his return to the ball-club. If the Frenchman is back in uniform in time for the Spurs to gel once again as is the Popovich way, even more intrigue will mark the upcoming Playoffs (especially if SA can leapfrog their way up through the log-jammed standings and avoid the Nuggets match-up). I don’t know if they can do it, but for this team I used to hate for their boring, methodical ways, I’ve really grown to appreciate and enjoy the way they play the game. I hope we can see them at something close to full strength one more time.

When they come one assist shy of the triple-double and we’re disappointed he didn’t get it, but barely raise an eyebrow at the line he did put up.

That’s special. He’s special. I did not see him being this good, this fast. I was far too focused on his less-than-perfect shooting mechanics. My bad. Apologies go out to Mr. Evans who has been one of the most exciting rookies in recent history to watch. I just hope you’re watching, too.

It’s weird though. Watching Kobe Bryant have rookies keep the pace with him two nights in a row, with Steph on Monday and now Tyreke on Tuesday. Makes me feel kind of old and makes me thankful I get to watch this generation of rookies and appreciate them from day one in a way I probably didn’t with Kobe. I followed the ’96 class and consider them “my” first real class that I loved, but I was 11. You don’t appreciate, you don’t understand the skill, effort, heart, talent in the same way. It’s more fun now.

It’s still strange hearing MVP chants for Kobe in Arco. I don’t like that. I miss the old Kings/Lakers rivalry days. I’m just in a bit of a sentimental mood today, aren’t I? I think it’s because I’m tired and am already thinking of dreamland.

Also, I’m tracking Bulls, Bobcats and the Heat to try and see where this team of mine here in Toronto is going to finish up. I just want to know if I’m going to get to cover playoffs and see my first postseason game. Pulling hard for that, so I’m pulling for the Raps to finish strong. They’re really not doing themselves any favors, unfortunately. The Hawks are in town tonight on the second night of a back-to-back, but of course, they played the Nets last night and got a whole bunch of rest.

I missed the Detroit/Cleveland game because I was liveblogging Heat/Spurs, but the world was talking about LeBron’s big block at the end. Goaltending? It certainly sounds so. Another game, another triple-double for Bron. Someone said Durant should get the MVP because Bron is, “being LeBron.”

I think this kind of works against his argument because it’s sort of saying that LeBron’s in a different category because he’s so good. Doesn’t this mean he’s the best player in the league? Yeah, I’m still not good at saying statements like this, but I think so, right? I’m just happy I get to watch him. And Kobe. And Melo. And KD. And the rest of them.

In Miami, the Spurs were all over the Heat through the first three quarters and then kind of fell apart before Manu Ginobili bailed them out with two huge 3-pointers to hold off a Heat team that trailed by as many as 26 points in the first half. Manu’s so good when he’s on, isn’t he? Love watching him drive the lane and e-x-t-e-n-d to the hoop, drawing the foul more often than not. I also love George Hill and DeJaun Blair. The Spurs as a whole are a lot more enjoyable to watch than they get credit for. It was amazing to see the difference between Miami in the first and second half. Tale of two halves didn’t even begin to describe it.

As long as the Raps go to the postseason, I’m happy. I’m not ready for my day-to-day season to end at the end of the regular season.

So we all agree Tyreke is ROY, can we agree that Jamal Crawford is the 6th man? What other awards do we have locked up already? I think Brooks gets COTY. What else? Bron MVP? I feel like Kobe is going to go off and have five more game winners and a ton of phenomenal performances to close the season out just because I wrote that. I’d take it. Have your picks changed at all since we last spoke about this?

If I was to explain the night in Tweets and/or hashtags, they are just a sample.

Wednesdays are always packed, but this was just wonderful.

First, there was Dirk reaching 20k for career points. And then, check this tweet from Art Garcia of NBA.com: @ArtGarcia_NBA: Nowitzki was asked if he knew the long standing ‘O’ was for him reaching 20K points: “Yeah, I’m not retarded.

Can’t you just picture him saying this sitting at a table as he swats a fly dead? I can. The standing O was really nice. Even if the Lakers spoiled the game by pulling out the victory, late. It was slightly scary and sickening to see Kobe lying by the bench with his legs propped up, trying to get his back right. I’m sure he’ll be fine in a few days, but I don’t even like being reminded of the fact that one day I’ll have to face the reality that one of the best players to ever suit up and play this game, to dedicate everything that he is to becoming the best, is going to slow down and eventually not be playing basketball.

Anyway, one day is not today or tomorrow or whatever. SUBJECT CHANGE.

Aaron Brooks. The waterbug turns 25 today and he wore some new shoes last night and played 59 minutes scored 43 points and had just one turnover as the Rockets hung on to outlast the TWolves, 114-120 in triple overtime.

The Rockets appeared to have the game under control, until a halfcourt heave from Corey Brewer sent the game into the initial overtime. From there, the players battled it out and finally, the Rockets prevailed. Sticking his tongue out as he exhaled, Shane Battier expressed the fatigue that all of the players showed as they walked off of the court, having given their all to the game that they –and we– love.

It was a great one.

Al Jefferson had 26 and 26 in the loss. Wild.

Also in Oklahoma City there was a battle going down as the Thunder took the Duncan-less Spurs to overtime, falling 109-108 thanks to a Rodman-esque sprawled out save from the 0-for-10 Manu Ginobili that set up the pass to Richard Jefferson –the same guy that I said I didn’t feel in San Antonio, yesterday— for a shot to win it. Now, in that game, rookie DeJuan Blair had himself a game to remember. With 28 points, 21 rebounds, two steals and two blocked shots, who needs ACLS? Not Mr. Blair.

So freaking great to see him kill it like that. So good to see a guy save the game after going 0-for-10 from the floor. Shows the importance of hustle, grit and determination.

For the Thunder, KD had 35 (but seven turnovers) and Russ Westbrook was awesome with 25 points, six boards and 13 assists. He’s getting better by the game and more and more comfortable with finding the balance between shoot, distibute and attack. It’s fun watching him develop.

The Suns gave up a 24-point lead to the Pacers and lost as Danny Granger scored 33 points. Steve Nash took an elbow to the face, received seven stitches and came back, but it wasn’t enough to save the Suns.

Might have made Raptors fans feel a little better about their team giving up a 23-point lead to the Pacers on Monday night.

In New Jersey, the Celtics annihilated the Nets. In the first quarter. It was over before it began even without Rasheed and KG. It wasn’t good. Pretty. Or anything happy. Just ask Russ.

This did make me think of something, though: Who would you rather be? Kiki or Flip? A team that’s awful or one that seems to find more and more trouble, distraction and disarray with every single passing day?

You tell me.

Oh yeah… Apparently Bill Walker had one ridiculous slam. I wasn’t watching that game, because, well.. Yeah. We’ve been through this already. That, and I was liveblogging a game of my own for work.

I could copy and paste that 8000 times in this post because that’s about all my mind is thinking right now. I’m so happy. Thrilled. Over the moon. We can’t script reality because sometimes it’s too perfect. Envisioning an Iverson back to Philly “second chance” seemed foolish only a few months ago. Hell, even a few weeks ago.

But there he is. Smiling. Holding up what is perhaps the loveliest jersey I’ve ever seen. I loved the Sixers new uniforms this season. With a #3 and an IVERSON on the back, I loved them even more. This feels right. Even if it feels a little overwhelming and strange and almost scary. Scary because, if it doesn’t work in Philly, we know it isn’t going to work anywhere else. Strange because Iverson will go from being “retired” to starting (at least, I hope for his sake). Overwhelming because we will get to hear those Sixers fans scream their hearts out for Iverson once again.

I want this to work out for him more than anything I can recall in recent memory. It just feels right. Deserved He gave that franchise his heart for so many years. After putting them on his back, they had a chance to give him a hand, a shot and a second chance. And they did.

The tears in his eyes, crackle in his always raspy voice, nervous smile as he tried to get a hold of his emotions, that is why Allen Iverson means what he does to me. He is real, raw, pure emotion. He is true to what he feels inside. It’s the only way he knows how to be. It’s the only way I ever want to be.

To the Philadelphia 76ers franchise, thank you.

Thank you for taking a chance on someone that you believe in. I believe in him, too.

Okay. I’ve got so much more to say/think/express about Iverson, but I can’t get my thoughts straight right now. Going from trying to accept that he was gone to having him back in Philadelphia has been a whirlwind. I’m sure you can relate.

Beyond that, DeJuan Blair had me singing #rookielove all evening. 18 points on 9-11 field goals, 11 rebounds (five offensive) in 21 minutes of play off of the bench. He was spectacular. He was everywhere. Hopping all over the place, making moves against KG, going up against Perkins battling for boards. He was aggressive, focused and absolutely jacked up at the end of the game as he led the Spurs back. San Antonio ended up losing the game to the Celtics, 90-83, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort on Blair’s part.

The Spurs were out of sync all night. Sloppy from the jump. They lost despite outrebounding Boston 55-32, including 20-2 on the offensive glass. How does that happen? By shooting just 7-for-17 from the free throw line and by turning the ball over 19 times.

Rajon Rondo is a hell of a point guard. Can people stop hating on him? Or, let me clarify that: Can people stop hating on his game? You don’t have to like him, but saying he sucks only makes you look ignorant. He’s a baller. Also, KG getting up to grab lob passes made me happy last night.

The Denver/Miami game was almost over before it started with the Nuggets leading by 16 at the half and rolling to the 114-96 win from there. Facing the Lakers tonight, things don’t get any easier for this Heat team on this West Coast swing. Did you all see the new hairstyle JR Smith is rocking? I personally enjoyed his six assists off of the bench to go with 16 points on 5-for-11 shooting. Dwyane Wade had 25 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Heat in the loss.

The Houston/Golden State game ended up being a close one down the stretch. After trailing by 10 in the fourth, the Rockets continued to play their team game and came roaring back while Monta Ellis and the Warriors had some heartbreaking turnovers late as Houston escaped with the 111-109 victory. With the game going back and forth, Aaron Brooks nailed two free throws with 2.1 seconds remaining and then Ellis was called for a travel on the in bounds catch and the Warriors didn’t get a chance to win it.

How’s this for a wacky line? Monta Ellis scored 24 points to go with six rebounds, eight assists, nine turnovers. He shot just 9-for-27 from the floor and had seven blocks against him. He played 47:28 minutes after missing the morning shootaround because he felt under the weather. Brooks led the way for Houston with 25 points, none bigger than his final two free throws.